Unit Project

Documenting the Scientific Method

Plant Growth Project

Plant Growth: What environmental factor maximizesplant size?

  • The purpose of this project is to design and conduct an experiment to determine how environmental variableseffect plant growth.
  • You mustchoose your manipulated variable (such as change temperature, amount of light,amount or type of growth medium, amount of fertilizer, or another factor you determine).
  • The information gained from this experiment could aid scientists in growing larger plants, as well as manufacturers interested in growing them. Choose your manipulated variable you’d like to test, grow your plants, and gather quantitative and qualitative data on plant growth over time.

HINT: START THIS PROJECT EARLY; IT TAKES TIME TO GROW PLANTS!

Step 1: Observe/question – Turn in a typed: 1. written question

2. paragraph as described below

ALL paragraphs need a topic and closing sentence!

ALL writing should be in 3rd person (no I’s or You’s).

  • Question: Use the following format:

What is the effect of the amount of______on the ______of the plant?

(manipulated variable)(responding variable)

  • Research: A minimum of one paragraph must be included to explain why this problem was chosen and what was learned about the problem before doing the experiment.
  • Helpful hints for research:

Ex: If you’re question is: What is the effect of the amount of phosphorous on the

height of radish plants?

  • you will need to know:
  • Phosphorous – What is it? How do plants use it? How much do they need?

How much is naturally in the soil? How is it absorbed?

  • Radish plants – How long do they take to germinate?

How much water do they need?

How long do they take to grow?

What is the average height of this species of radish plant?

  • Any words included in your paragraph explaining your question that a typical 7th grade student would not understand must be defined and explained.

Step 2: Hypothesis– Turn in - a written hypothesis

- a paragraph as described below

  • Write a GOOD hypothesis that predicts the answer tothe experiment’s question using the research used in step 1.
  • Remember, a good hypothesis is SPECIFIC, testable/measureable, predicts what will happen, and written as a definite statement (don’t use weak/passive phrases such as “it might…”, “I think…” or “maybe…”).
  • Use the following format to write your hypothesis:

If the amount of ______increases/decreases, then the

(manipulated variable)(choose one)

______plant will increases/decreases.

(responding variable) (choose one)

  • In a paragraph under your stated hypothesis, describe how the information learned from research led to this hypothesis.
  • Then list the following:
  • the manipulated(independent) variable and

three different increments (amounts) by which it will be changed.

  • the plant that did not receive the manipulated variable.
  • “Standard of Comparison”
  • Identify the responding (dependent) variable.
  • Identify the multiplecontrolled variables(four to five) that will be kept the same for each trial.

Step 3: Experiment

This step includes growing the plants, collecting data, graphing the data, analyzing the data and reporting what happened. The report that describes what happens is called the “write-up”.

Note: Take pictures during your experiment. This is required and is part of the

next steps. Beginning, middle and end pictures are a must! At least 12 pictures needed of YOUR plants!

********* Remember to start this section early so you have time to grow plants!

1. Make a bulleted list of the materials needed for the experiment.

- use METRIC measurements

2. Write a step by step procedure on what you will do in your experiment.

- Write this like a recipe, numbering each step.

- Be as concise as possible, writing clear directions.

- This needs to be so detailed that another scientist could repeat your steps and get

the same results as you did. This is calledverifying your results.

- Step 1: Gather the materials needed.

- Read over your procedure to make sure it makes sense!

*** Draw a labeled diagram of the experimental set up.

3. Makefourdata tables to record the daily information that will be gathered so the

data isorganized. (One table for the comparison and three tables for each plant receiving the manipulate variable.)

* Minimum 15 – 20 days of data needed.

Plant A – State MV Amount / Quantitative Data (RV) / Qualitative data
Date (Day 0 is first day planting) / Write observations here.

4. Begin the experiment. The first day of the experiment is “day 0” and responding

variable will be “0”.

5. At the end of the experiment,

- Copy and paste quantitative data to a computer spreadsheet.

- The spread sheet should look like this:

Plant A / Plant B / Plant C / Plant D
Day / Height (cm) / Height (cm). / Height (cm). / Height (cm).
0

6. Make one LINE graphthat includes all four plant’s data.

- Use proper graphing procedures! Refer to the bookmark previously handed out.

Step 4: Evaluate

Type four paragraphs that thoroughly and thoughtfully answer the questions

below by evaluating the hypothesis and experiment.

Don’t forget to cite the experiment by including specific data directly from the data tables when writing the evaluation.

  1. STATE if the data support the hypothesis or not. Cite specific data directly from the data tables why the hypothesis was/was not supported.
  2. Possible errors:

Which variables were difficult or impossible to control due to your non-lab setting and affected the results? In what way did they affect the results?

  1. What was learned from this experiment? Be specific and detailed and describe MULTIPLE things learned.
  2. Bad example: I learned about plants.
  3. Better example: Plants grow taller when…
  4. What could have been done differently/change if the experiment could be done all over again?
  5. Bad example: “I would change my hypothesis to be correct.”
  6. Better example: To improve the experiment, the following should have been done…

STOP! EVERYTHING IN STEPS 1-4 NEED TO BE PRINTED OUT AND HANDED IN!

Step 5: Communicate

  • This is a full-class presentation.
  • Remember, this is a BRIEF summary of your project (2-3 minutes)!
  • You MUST have visuals! The more visuals, the better!
  • This includes Google Presentations or Power Points. Tangible materials to display/show optional.
  • The presentation should include a brief introduction and conclusion and also follow the scientific method. Explain what you have done for each step of the scientific method.
  • How are you assessed? USE THE RUBRIC to ensure you are working on all

items in the “proficient” column! This column is on the back of this page for your reference.


Name: ______Hr.: ___

Date presented: ______

Proficient
Presentation Content / SLIDE I - Problem/Question –
- Question written in correct format.
- Reason for choosing question explained.
- Grabbed audience’s attention by explaining how the results are helpful to others.
SLIDE II - Research –
- Shares at least three facts about the specific plant’s growing needs.
- Shares at least three interesting/historical/fun facts about the specific plant.
- Facts were important, relevant, and interesting.
- Facts shared were from research, not basic classroom knowledge.
SLIDE III - Hypothesis –
- Hypothesis in correct format.
- All variables identified. MV___ RV _____ CV ______
SLIDE IV - Experiment –
- Sharesoverview/summary of procedure (not materials used). DO NOT read step by step.
- This is where the beginning, middle, final pictures are shown and explained.
Extra slides may be used to show this.
SLIDE V - Evaluation -
- Clearly states if data supports hypothesis or does not.
- Graph displayed and explained.
- Discusses why this result may have happened
SLIDE VI - Conclusion –
- Leaves audience with what was learned from experiment.
- unique/creative
Visual and Doc / Visual aides were
- colorful and clear,
- done with best effort
- important and applicable to the project
- supports and enhances presentation in a creative and engaging way
- organized in an easy-to-follow format.
-Presented at an appropriate time for an appropriate length of time.
Pren Skills / Individual used:
- frequent eye contact when speaking,
- voice was loud and clear,
- at an easy-to-understand pace
-tone portrays interest in topic.
- Minimal to no distracting actions throughout the presentation.
P Org, Flow, Prof / - clean, engaging, and productive
- captured interest of the audience; maintained this throughout the entire presentation.
- Topics followed scientific method order
- Practice and preparation were evident.
- Time about 2-3 minutes.
- Presented like a scientist to a scientist – serious, interested in topic